League HQ Newsletter

2008: Game three decider, Sydney Olympic Stadium: Half-time, NSW lead 10-8. Queensland halfback Scott Prince has gone off with a broken arm.

Gould: "Queensland are really struggling here, and it’s going to be even harder without Scott Prince."

Knox, in a pub decked in sky blue for celebrations: "We’ve got them. No way could we let them win three in a row."

Result: Queensland 16, NSW 10.

2009: Game two, Sydney Olympic Stadium: Seven Queensland players have been sick with a virus that hit them 24 hours before kick-off. Justin Hodges and Matt Scott are ruled out with injury at the last minute. Petero Civoniceva’s season will end with a foot injury in the first half, and Greg Inglis will go off after 22 minutes with a broken jaw.

Sterling: "You can say Queensland have been unlucky, but this is a great chance for NSW and they will not want to let it go."

Knox, at home with lights dimmed and phone off: "Oh jeez, they can’t come back from this. Can they?"

Result: Queensland 28, NSW 18.

2010: Game two, Lang Park: Queensland’s preparation has been interrupted by Israel Folau’s defection to the AFL, and controversy over his on-again, off-again selection. Civoniceva is out with a broken hand. Cameron Smith has missed several weeks with an elbow injury.

Vautin: "It has been a far from ideal lead-up for the Maroons, and the Blues will be smelling blood."

Knox, with a heavy head cold and mug of Lemsip: "I can’t smell anything."

Result: Queensland 34, NSW 6.

2011: Game two decider, Lang Park: In the second match, NSW overpowered Queensland 18-8. It was the Maroons’ lowest score in Sydney since 2004.

Gould: "Queensland just don’t seem to have any answers."

Knox, in foetal position on the couch: "No, no, no, no, no."

After 20 minutes of the decider, Queensland lead 24-0.

Result: Queensland 34, NSW 24.

2012: Game three decider, Lang Park: NSW lead 8-0 after 18 minutes.

Sterling: "I’ve never seen Queensland look so flat."

Gould: "If you didn’t know better, you would say they look gone."

Knox, stoic: "I’m taking the dog for a walk. I can’t watch the rest. Something to change our luck."

Result: Queensland 21, NSW 20.

2013: Game three decider, Sydney Olympic Stadium: NSW, two points behind with eight minutes to go after a barging try from Trent Merrin, storm down the field, making 60 metres in four plays.

Gould: "Queensland look shell-shocked."

Sterling: "You can feel all the momentum going NSW’s way."

Mitchell Pearce’s next pass bounces off Josh Dugan’s shoulder. Queensland regain the ball from a penalty.

Knox, alone in a hotel room, calling his children: "Oh, you should have seen Joey Johns, what he used to do to Queensland, I’ll get you a DVD…"